Fridge Habits That Are Costing You Money

While we officially become adults at 18, it’s not necessarily true that age is the only milestone of where we’re at in life. One such milestone that says a lot about our priorities and responsibilities in life is when we start really caring about every single penny that we’re unnecessarily spending on our bills. And, unsurprisingly, many of us have been locked into habits that are costing us money every day since we turned 18!

But when you start to recognise these bad habits, you’ll find that they can be easily kicked to the kerb – and your fridge habits are no exception. At Repair Aid, we do know a thing or two about fridges. After all, being fridge repairers means that we do tend to see inside a lot of broken down fridges. So we’re here to give you a guide to the most costly fridge habits, as well as advice on how you can get over them once and for all.

Incorrect temperature and humidity

As Epicurus once said: “Moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance.” While he probably wasn’t talking about the temperature of food inside your fridge when he said that 2,000 years ago, we think he’d probably see the logic. That’s because the temperature inside your fridge can directly affect the quality of the food inside. If it’s too cold, it’ll freeze food; if it’s too hot, the food will spoil more quickly.

It’s not energy bill related – but it is shopping bill related. So if you’re finding that your food is going off quicker than you expect, try adjusting the temperature gauge. The ideal is between 0 and 5 degrees – yet most UK fridges are set to 7 degrees. If you can’t find a temperature dial, don’t worry – you can buy a relatively cheap thermometer for the fridge.

Additionally, make sure to properly use your crisper drawers. They can make certain foods – such as herbs like coriander and leafy greens like spinach – last longer and less likely to wilt. All of this can save you money in the long run.

Under or overfilling

Another common faux pas is that people tend to over or under-fill their fridges. Big Epicurus is on the money again: have a balance! A good balance is also essential when it comes to how you stock your fridge. That’s because storing too much can end up blocking necessary vents – causing your fridge to work harder to keep it cold enough. And that, of course, means more energy spent which costs you more money.

But, on the other hand, an under-filled fridge can also cost money too. Your fridge is dependent on cold items helping to keep the temperature low when you open the door. If there’s a lack of items in the fridge, that means it needs to work harder to replace the warm air that gets in while the door is open. This is why if you turn the temperature down, you don’t need to worry about this causing your fridge to work harder as the contents help maintain the cooler temperature.

So what’s the right mix? Well, a fridge that is anywhere between half and three-quarters full is the ideal amount of used storage that ensures your fridge is being as energy-efficient as it can be.

Storage concerns

Deciding where to put your food – including that lovely epicure potato mash you made especially for Epicurus before realising he’s not been around for his dinner since 270 BC – can also end up affecting your shopping bill too.

A good tip is putting older items closer to the front of your fridge. This is because when we put new things in, we’re likely pushing the older contents to the back. As they have to be used sooner, that’s not going to help remind you that they need to be used. By storing new things at the back, and bringing older items to the front, you cut down on the cost of food wastage.

Another common mistake is putting items like milk on the door. Big no-no! This is one of the warmest areas in the fridge and will make your milk (or any other perishable) go off faster. As doors are swung open, this means the items here are pulled away from the cold air. If that happens enough, it will absolutely affect how long it stays fresh. The door should be for condiments, longer-lasting items and soft drinks.

And we should also mention that having that door open too much will let warm air in. Only keep the fridge door open for as long as you need it open and your food will last longer – saving you money in the long run.